Veteran Australian cricketer turned analyst Ian Chappell has projected a drastic change in the LBW rule and also wants a change in ball-tampering.
Chappell states that any delivery that hits the pad of a batsman and if in the view of the umpire, it’s going on to hit the stumps, it should be believed as out, regardless of where the ball has pitched.
In a column on ESPNcricinfo, the former Australian captain said, “The new lbw law should simply say: Any delivery that strikes the pad without first hitting the bat and, in the umpire’s opinion, would go on to hit the stumps is out regardless of whether or not a shot is attempted. Forget where the ball pitches and whether it strikes the pad outside the line or not; if it’s going to hit the stumps, it’s out.”
He also added, “The priority for cricket administrators should be to maintain an even balance between bat and ball. These law changes would help redress any imbalance and make the game, particularly Test cricket, a far more entertaining spectacle.”
Chappell acknowledged that this rule would attract sharp fight from the batsmen. He also believes that it will result in many positive changes in the game, the most crucial being fairness.
Commenting on the same, he said, “There will be screams of horror, particularly from pampered batsmen but there are numerous positives this change would bring to the game. Most important is fairness.”
SACHIN TENDULKAR’S BATTLE WITH SHANE WARNE
The 76-year-old cited Sachin Tendulkar’s instance on how he negotiated Shane Warne’s bowling method during the 1997-98 Test series in India.
“Contrast Sachin Tendulkar’s aggressive and successful approach to Shane Warne coming round the wicket in Chennai in 1997-98 with a batsman who kicks away deliveries pitching in the rough and turning in toward the stumps. Which would you rather watch?” he quipped.
“The current law encourages ‘pad play’ to balls pitching outside leg while this change would force them to use their bat. The change would reward bowlers who attack the stumps and decrease the need for negative wide deliveries to a packed off-side field,” Chappell stated.
BALL-TAMPERING ISSUE
Expressing his views on the latest debate as to what will happen post-coronavirus with applying saliva on the ball to shine it, Chappell quoted, “With ball-tampering always a hot topic, in the past, I have suggested that administrators ask international captains to construct a list (i.e. the use of natural substances) detailing the things bowlers feel will help them to swing the ball. From this list, the administrators should deem one method to be legal with all others being punishable as illegal”.
Chappell believes that with cricket on hold, this is the ideal time to conduct the exercise. Using saliva and sweat are now seen as a health hazard, so it will require bowlers something to replace the traditional ball-shining methods.
